New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Shinn announced today
the dedication of $1.6 million in federal funds to improve
and develop state and local trails.

More than $814,000 has been earmarked for
39 New Jersey trail projects from the 2001 federal Recreational
Trails Program. Additionally, DEP is currently seeking applications
for approximately $810,000 in federal funds that has been
allocated to New Jersey for the year 2002.

"The money will help us continue to
develop and maintain a premier statewide network of trails
that will increase recreational opportunities throughout
New Jersey as demand increases. These matching grants are
important because they enable the state to offer greater
access to the state's many open spaces, create urban and
suburban corridors and enhance recreational areas,"
said Shinn. "We urge federal, state, county and local
governments, and non-profit agencies to send us their applications
by December 20, 2001."

The 39 projects currently being funded
will allow for the development, construction and restoration
of a variety of trail sites in the Garden State. The City
of Pleasantville was awarded $25,000 to provide lighting,
screening and fencing to help convert the abandoned Pennsylvania-Reading
Seashore Line railbed into a trail that will connect adjoining
Northfield, Linwood, and Somers Point.

The 39 projects, recommended by the New
Jersey Trails Council, were approved by the Federal Highway
Administration under the Recreational Trails Program as
part of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.
Grant recipients must provide a 20% match for each trail
project. The Trails Council is comprised of representatives
from hiking, mountain biking, motorized trail use, canoeing
and horseback riding interest groups as well as several
general trail advocates and representatives from state government.
DEP's Office of Natural Lands Management in the Division
of Parks and Forestry administers the program.

Worthington State Forest will receive $10,000
to expand its Delaware River interpretive program that would
allow visitors to explore the river by canoe or kayak. In
Monmouth County, the Horse Park of New Jersey will use $25,000
to improve old farm roads now used as trails in Assunpink
Wildlife Management Area. Trail improvements to accommodate
carriage riding as well as horseback riding will be made
on three of those paths that connect with the adjacent horse
park.

In another non-profit project, the Edison
Greenways Group partnership will receive $1,950 for the
restoration and enhancement of the Dismal Swamp trails in
Edison. The trails will connect with the township's recently
acquired Triple C Ranch and the developing regional Middlesex
Greenway.

Launching the eastern section of the cross-state
Liberty-Water Gap Trail, Hudson County will receive $25,000
to construct a path within Lincoln Park that will connect
the proposed route for the trail to the Communipaw Avenue
Bridge over the Hackensack River in Jersey City. The Liberty-Water
Gap Trail will begin at Liberty State Park and end at the
Delaware Water Gap.

Atlantic County was awarded $20,000 to
continue the construction of the Swamp Trail in Estell Manor
County Park. Boardwalking of the trail will permit wheelchair
access along its 2.75-mile route.

A list of the 39 approved trail projects
for the 2001 funding is below. For further information or
to obtain an application, call DEP's Trails Program at (609)
984-1339.